This paper provides a perspective on volatility forecasting. The basic idea is that a number of factors are leading to volatility having a lower baseline expected value than in prior years. These factors include lower earnings uncertainty, greater market efficiency, better market-marking, and the fact that volatility trading itself tends to reduce volatility.
AbstractThis study investigates the difficulties encountered by consumers in forming insurance decisions when using self-service technology (SST) channels, such as electronic insurance. Rasch measurement model is applied. This model employs the expectation disconfirmation theory to categorize and rank the order of importance of latent utilitarian and hedonic insurance purchase motives. Consumers find that electronic insurance has high risks and high premiums with respect to utilitarian motives but lacks information and performs unsatisfactorily in terms of hedonic motives. Nevertheless, electronic insurance is preferred for the convenience brought by SST channels, and because it provides greater discounts and offers product–channel matching through self-consultation in the absence of agents. Being middle-aged and having a high income are factors that significantly influence electronic insurance purchases.
